Tarot of A.E. Waite mini English version - the standard deck in pocket size
If there is one tarot deck you can recognise anywhere in the world, it is this one. The cards that Pamela Colman Smith drew in 1909 under the direction of Arthur Edward Waite have formed the basis for thousands of other decks ever since. This mini edition contains all 78 cards in a 44 x 80 mm format.
It is small enough to carry in a coat pocket or handbag, yet all the details from the original illustrations remain intact. The print quality is clear. The colours are the familiar pastels from the classic edition.
What you see on the cards
The Major Arcana shows archetypes such as the Magician, the High Priestess, the Sun. The Minor Arcana has full scenes on every card, including the pip cards. That makes this deck intuitively readable.
Every detail carries meaning. The dog and the wolf beside the Moon, the ten swords in the back of a prone figure, the cup offered by a hand emerging from a cloud. Smith drew the cards so that you do not need to read a book first to understand what is being told.
Who this deck works for
This is a beginner's deck. Almost every tarot book, course and online explanation is based on this system. That makes it easy to learn.
The mini format is practical. You need less space when laying out spreads, the cards fit smaller hands, and you can take the deck anywhere without it being conspicuous or taking up room.
Draw one card each morning and slip it into your wallet or phone case. That way you have a concrete focus for the rest of the day.
About Pamela Colman Smith and Arthur Edward Waite
Arthur Edward Waite was a member of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and wrote extensively on occult symbolism. He wanted a tarot deck that was accessible yet had depth.
Pamela Colman Smith was an illustrator, theatre maker and synaesthete. She translated Waite's instructions into the images that are now the standard. Her work was underpaid and ignored for years. Only decades later did she receive recognition as the creator of the most influential tarot illustrations ever made.
Specifications
- Number of cards: 78 (22 Major Arcana, 56 Minor Arcana)
- Card size: 44 x 80 mm
- Language: English
- Publisher: U.S. Games Systems, Inc.
- Card stock: sturdy, smooth finish
- Guidebook: concise booklet in English with keywords
- Packaging: sturdy storage box
- Illustrator: Pamela Colman Smith
- Concept: Arthur Edward Waite
- Original publication: 1909
Questions we often get
Are the details still visible at this small size?
Yes. The print is sharp and all symbols are legible. The format does require you to hold the card a bit closer than with a standard edition.
Is this the same imagery as the Rider-Waite I know?
Yes. This is the standard U.S. Games Systems edition in mini format. The colours and images are identical to the larger versions, aside from the size.
